VOA常速英语2007年-New ANC Leader Zuma Seeks to Mend Fences

By Delia Robertson
Johannesburg
20 December 2007

In his first address as newly elected African National Congress party president, Jacob Zuma sought to build fences and reassure¹ South Africa on economic policy. But as VOA's Delia Robertson reports from Johannesburg, the speech was somewhat overshadowed by South Africa's National Prosecuting² Authority, which said a decision is near on whether to prosecute³ Zuma on corruption⁴ charges.

Appearing somewhat nervous, Jacob Zuma delivered a conciliatory and reassuring⁵ televised message to delegates present and also to the wider South African community. He first sought to mend fences with South African President Thabo Mbeki, against whom he fought a fierce battle to become leader of the African National Congress.

"I have known the man, the brother, the friend, and indeed my leader," he said. "I must confess that I never thought that the two of us would one day compete for the same position in the ANC. However, contesting positions among comrades does not make us enemies. We are comrades, we belong to the same family, the African National Congress."

Zuma said he would not be pushing for any sea changes in government policy in the coming months, noting that in any event the ruling party's policies have always been decided⁶ at its National Conferences.

"Let me reiterate⁷ that decisions with regards to policies in the ANC are taken by conference, and not by an individual," he said. "This has been surprising me comrades, because as the conference was proceeding⁸ after my election some of my friends here were asking me, what is going to be your policy. And the conference is busy concluding policy."

Zuma also addressed some of South Africa's major challenges, promising⁹ redoubled attention to combating crime; and to reducing the impact of HIV/AIDS.

Zuma did not mention the announcement earlier in the day by the National Prosecuting Authority that it is close to deciding whether to reinstate corruption charges against him.

Last year, prosecutors¹⁰ were ordered by the courts to withdraw corruption charges against Jacob Zuma because they had sought too many postponements. They were told to return only when ready to proceed to trial.

NPA spokesperson Tlali Tlali says investigations¹² have reached an advanced stage.

"On the basis of the investigations carried out thus far, enough ground has been covered to a point where information or evidence suggests that there is prosecutable¹³ case. The NPA is yet to make the decision on this matter; and that decision is imminent," said Tlali.

The investigation¹¹ followed the conviction of Zuma's then-financial advisor¹⁴ on corruption charges in 2005. The judge in that case said Zuma intervened to secure business contracts for his advisor and that the only way he could do that was to use his political office.

Zuma says the allegations are part of a conspiracy¹⁵ to keep him from higher office, and that the money he got was a repayable loan between good friends.

Zuma seemed to relax at the end of his address, launching into an animated¹⁶ rendition of what has become his personal anthem¹⁷, the anti-apartheid struggle song "Umshini Wam", "Bring Me My Machine Gun."

1 reassure   

v.使放心，使消除疑虑

参考例句：

• This seemed to reassure him and he continued more confidently.这似乎使他放心一点，于是他更有信心地继续说了下去。
• The airline tried to reassure the customers that the planes were safe.航空公司尽力让乘客相信飞机是安全的。

2 prosecuting   

检举、告发某人( prosecute的现在分词 )； 对某人提起公诉； 继续从事（某事物）； 担任控方律师

参考例句：

• The witness was cross-examined by the prosecuting counsel. 证人接受控方律师的盘问。
• Every point made by the prosecuting attorney was telling. 检查官提出的每一点都是有力的。

3 prosecute   

vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官

参考例句：

• I am trying my best to prosecute my duties.我正在尽力履行我的职责。
• Is there enough evidence to prosecute?有没有起诉的足够证据？

4 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

5 reassuring   

a.使人消除恐惧和疑虑的，使人放心的

参考例句：

• He gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. 他轻拍了一下她的肩膀让她放心。
• With a reassuring pat on her arm, he left. 他鼓励地拍了拍她的手臂就离开了。

6 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

7 reiterate   

v.重申，反复地说

参考例句：

• Let me reiterate that we have absolutely no plans to increase taxation.让我再一次重申我们绝对没有增税的计划。
• I must reiterate that our position on this issue is very clear.我必须重申我们对这一项议题的立场很清楚。

8 proceeding   

n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报

参考例句：

• This train is now proceeding from Paris to London.这次列车从巴黎开往伦敦。
• The work is proceeding briskly.工作很有生气地进展着。

9 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

10 prosecutors   

检举人( prosecutor的名词复数 )； 告发人； 起诉人； 公诉人

参考例句：

• In some places,public prosecutors are elected rather than appointed. 在有些地方，检察官是经选举而非任命产生的。 来自口语例句
• You've been summoned to the Prosecutors' Office, 2 days later. 你在两天以后被宣到了检察官的办公室。

11 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

12 investigations   

（正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究

参考例句：

• His investigations were intensive and thorough but revealed nothing. 他进行了深入彻底的调查，但没有发现什么。
• He often sent them out to make investigations. 他常常派他们出去作调查。

13 prosecutable   

[法] 可提起公诉的

参考例句：

14 advisor   

n.顾问，指导老师，劝告者

参考例句：

• They employed me as an advisor.他们聘请我当顾问。
• The professor is engaged as a technical advisor.这位教授被聘请为技术顾问。

15 conspiracy   

n.阴谋，密谋，共谋

参考例句：

• The men were found guilty of conspiracy to murder.这些人被裁决犯有阴谋杀人罪。
• He claimed that it was all a conspiracy against him.他声称这一切都是一场针对他的阴谋。

16 animated   

adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的

参考例句：

• His observations gave rise to an animated and lively discussion.他的言论引起了一场气氛热烈而活跃的讨论。
• We had an animated discussion over current events last evening.昨天晚上我们热烈地讨论时事。

17 anthem   

n.圣歌，赞美诗，颂歌

参考例句：

• All those present were standing solemnly when the national anthem was played.奏国歌时全场肃立。
• As he stood on the winner's rostrum,he sang the words of the national anthem.他站在冠军领奖台上，唱起了国歌。